Valentin picked to succeed Kaye

Guadagno in line for a judgeship

Oct. 11, 2006

Valentin

Written by

KAREN SUDOL

FREEHOLD BUREAU

TRENTON — Acting Gov. Codey nominated Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis A. Valentin on Monday to succeed John Kaye as Monmouth County prosecutor, in what would be a historic appointment — the first Hispanic county prosecutor in the state.

"Mr. Valentin's career has been highlighted by his work ethic and integrity . . . (and) his ability to root out corruption," said Sean Darcy, a spokesman for Codey.

Valentin's nomination comes at a time when corruption involving public officials is on the front burner of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

More than a dozen government officials from Monmouth County towns have been charged with corruption during a federal probe that the U.S. attorney has said was interfered with by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office — a charge Kaye has denied.

Valentin, a 39-year-old Democrat who moved to Manalapan about a year ago, said he is "grateful and honored" to be chosen.

If confirmed by the state Senate, he would replace Kaye, 61, who was first appointed in 1983 by then-Gov. Thomas H. Kean and is the longest serving prosecutor in the state. Kaye's current five-year term expires on June 28.

If confirmed, Valentin will become the first Hispanic prosecutor in any county in the state, according to Camelia M. Valdes, president of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

"The association could not be any prouder or happier for him," said Valdes, adding that Valentin is a member.

Varied duties

Valentin is chief of the Violent Crimes Unit in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark, where he has worked since 1998. He is also in the Special Prosecutions Division, which prosecutes federal criminal offenses involving public corruption, including bribery, graft, embezzlement and extortion. His most recent high-profile defendant was former Hoboken Mayor Anthony J. Russo, who was sentenced on corruption charges to 30 months in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said if confirmed, Valentin will make an outstanding prosecutor. He said he would miss the advice and counsel Valentin has provided.

State Sen. Ellen D. Karcher, D-Monmouth, who had collected resumes from all of the job candidates and interviewed dozens of people, said she had recommended Valentin.

"I think we went through this exhaustive process and found a suitable nominee. I think that he's got the right experience and has shown that he's up to the task of taking on public corruption. I think he brings a fresh new perspective to Monmouth County," she said.

Karcher said she will support Valentin's nomination through the process known as senatorial courtesy, in which she and state Sens. Joseph A. Palaia and Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr., both R-Monmouth, can either block or sign off on the nomination.

Kyrillos had expressed dissatisfaction with the process of selecting a new prosecutor, saying he had thought the appointment should go to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Guadagno, a Republican from Monmouth Beach who may now be headed for a Superior Court judgeship.

"The process was heading in a certain direction and quickly shifted gears," Kyrillos said of the prosecutor's nomination.

Kyrillos said he needs to meet with Valentin again before signing off on the nomination.

Palaia has questions, too

Last month, the Monmouth County Democratic Committee chairman, Victor V. Scudiery, had asked Palaia to block the nomination, so that the appointment would be delayed until the next gubernatorial election. Scudiery had said the county Democratic Party was not consulted in the selection process.

Palaia said Monday he will sign off on the nomination but still has some questions, none relating to Valentin's job performance.

His main question, Palaia said, is when the final report will be released by the state Attorney General's Office on an investigation into whether Kaye's office did interfere with the federal investigation, dubbed Operation Bid Rig. Staffers in the Prosecutor's Office have received subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury investigating the allegations.

Palaia said he had wanted to review the report before signing off on any candidate. He said he believes it will exonerate Kaye's office.

First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Robert A. Honecker Jr., who applied to replace Kaye early in the process, declined to comment Monday. Kaye couldn't be reached for comment.

Scudiery said his letter had nothing to do with Valentin's qualifications or him personally; he had wanted the appointment delayed until a new governor is elected.

"I know Mr. Valentin will bring with him . . . the same work ethic and commitment to fighting public corruption that his present employer has demonstrated," Scudiery said.

If confirmed, Valentin would assume an office with a staff of 285 employees and a $20 million budget. The office handles approximately 28,000 cases annually.

Codey also filed a notice of intent Monday to nominate Guadagno to be a Superior Court judge assigned to Monmouth County, according to Darcy. Guadagno couldn't be reached for comment but Christie lauded his credentials.

"This office is extremely flattered that Governor Codey would select two of our own for such prestigious and important posts," Christie said.